Senior Feeling a Bit Bummed

Applying to College
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Hi guys, I got waitlisted with these stats from MSU (in-state), and I’m not sure what to do. I’ve gotten rejected everywhere else, but got into 2 other in-state schools and one T30 out of state (can’t afford to go). I’m not sure what to do because MSU is my last-ditch option atp. Do you guys think I’ll be able to get in for fall semester?

Neuroscience Major

3.175UW/3.4W

1410 SAT (710/700)

8 APs, 3 DE, upward trend from freshman/sophomore year. only 2 Bs overall junior and senior year, but horrid fresh and soph gpa.

ECs:

  1. Medical Competition (State Champion/International Competitor)
  2. Biomedical Club - Leader (200 members)
  3. Medical Student Shadowing
  4. Volunteer Swim Instructor
  5. Biotechnology Student Researcher
  6. Student Intern - Internal Physician
  7. Paid Swim Instructor - Lifeguard and CPR Certified
  8. Research on Stem Cells
  9. Tutor Club
  10. Certified Referee and Soccer Player

Awards:

  1. 1st Place Medical Comp - States (National/State)
  2. International Competitor Medical Comp (International)
  3. AP Scholar w/Honor (National)
  4. 3rd Place Medical Comp - Regionals (Regional)
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You got into two - like W Michigan or HVSU ? So what’s the issue ?

Michigan has many great schools.

Go learn and crush it. You’ll have access to the same grad school opportunities as coming from MSU.

You me gpa is a bit low so crush it at the next level.

Nothing to be sad about here. You applied to the two you got into for a reason. They were always possible.

Best of luck in your studies.

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Yeah, thanks for the kind words.

I got into Wayne and WMU.

Do you think I still have a chance for MSU for the fall semester?

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No idea. A WL is a rejection. But a hedge for the school - if they don’t get enough. If it were last year, you’d have a great chance. But every year is different.

You know what’s a great school. WMU. A major car company just named a WMU alum its head guy. Not Michigan or State or Purdue. WMU.

My son got hired with Michigan and Michigan State grads—-and WMU and Akron. Guess what. They all make the same.

I think you are way underestimating the strength of WMU.

Love the school that loves you.

Good luck

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If the stats from last year are any indication per ChatGPT yes you very much have a chance. A waitlist is not a rejection it is a deferred decision. Specific to your question…

“ Yes, Michigan State University (MSU) uses a waitlist, and in the fall of 2023, they admitted a high percentage of students from their waitlist.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

  • Waitlist Usage:

MSU maintains a waitlist for several reasons, including its “rolling admissions” process, variations in the number of admitted applicants who accept their offers, and cancellations by applicants.

  • Waitlist Data:

In the fall of 2023, MSU admitted 97% of its 1,000 waitlisted applicants, which was the highest percentage among 301 schools that submitted data to U.S. News.”

Directly from US News…

“How many people get off the MSU waitlist?

Some colleges admitted a high percentage of wait-listed applicants in fall 2023. Michigan State University, which admitted 97% of its 1,000 wait-listed applicants, had the highest percentage of students accepted off the waitlist, according to 301 schools that submitted that data to U.S. News in an annual survey.”

Certainly don’t count on it but in response to your question yes you have a chance!!

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You need to move forward with one of the affordable schools you have been admitted to. If you get into MSU off the waitlist down the road, consider it a bonus!

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For further context…

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/colleges-that-admit-the-most-students-off-the-waitlist

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Yeah looking at their CDS and statistics I think I’ll get in, it’s just a matter of when, and if it’s fall semester or not.

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Yeah that’s true, the main reason I want to atleast go to MSU really bad is I have friends there, I have a research internship during the summer so I’ll be able to get close to a professor with before I even start undergrad.

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I wish you luck but past performance is no guarantee of future results.

I saw the # b4 but as I said, a WL is a rejection. I got that from William & Mary, btw.

It’s a rejection because they made a decision and it’s that they are unable to accept you at this time. But if, and only if, they do not get enough attendees, they’ll grab. Last year it was most everyone but we’ve seen some schools like this pull no one the next year. It was Va Tech, in fact. 2456 one year in 2022. Zero the next.

So I don’t want to give you false hope.

You were not deferred which means they have not made a decision. You were, in fact, rejected, but again it’s an insurance policy for them. Don’t fall for the - but I know I’ll get in or it will hurt more if you don’t because as of now you aren’t in.

That’s why @happy1 and I noted to love one of your two choices.

Western is a solid get. WSU is too.

And you can do your summer internship at MSU regardless.

I wish you luck.

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I’m sorry you’re feeling bummed. Not to be a downer, but this happens in life, again and again, and part of what you need to do is figure out how to make lemonade from those lemons as things unfold differently than you’d hoped.

So… Love one of your 2 true choices, and come up with a plan to make that an incredible experience. Figure out how to snag the opportunities that matter most, how to connect with the people who interest you, etc. You should have a plan that excites you!

If the WL comes through, great. AND if you did this right, you should feel a twinge of regret that you won’t be getting what you planned for at the college where you originally enrolled.

You may not need to act immediately, but be sure you have something solid lined up before the actual dates for decisions.

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Being waitlisted by a school that last year accepted 97% of 1,000 students off the wait list is not the same as a rejection. A rejection implies finality, while those on a waitlist still await a final determination as to their options.

Not all wait lists are the same. Some schools rarely use them to fill spots while others like Michigan State (the most prolific user per USNWR) view them as a tactical way to complete their classes.

Making broad and general declarations that WL are rejections to a self described “bummed out” 17 year old without providing that broader context does the student a disservice and is misleading.

This is particularly the case when the student’s question is “do I have a chance” versus will I get in.

The following is demonstrably true:

  1. the student does not have a final decision from the school until the WL is closed and they are informed of a rejection.
  2. the school in question has a history of having a higher acceptance rate from the WL then they do from the general applicant pool.
  3. OP simply asked if they have a chance.

Yes, you have a chance and once again note not all wait lists are the same. You should of course prepare for the worst but hope for the best.

Here is a very balanced and pragmatic discussion of wait lists that may be of interest.

Ultimate Waitlist Strategies to Secure Your Spot (2025) | Empowerly.

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“It’s a rejection because they made a decision and it’s that they are unable to accept you at this time”

The key words are ones I’ve boldfaced.

It’s not a rejection. It’s a wait and see. “Waitlist”

As noted above, if you don’t hear from MSU before May 1, look at your other acceptances and choose. If you get off the waitlist at MSU, you can accept the waitlist offer, and notify school one you won’t be attending.

Every year, hundreds and hundreds of kids are accepted off of waitlists. Sometimes this doesn’t happen until summer, even late summer. Movement takes place because other students might have accepted MSU, and they get off waitlists elsewhere and decide not to attend MSU…or kids simply decide not to attend MSU for other reasons.

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Agree. There is something called the “summer melt” where people inform schools they will not be attending either because they decided to take a gap year, they couldn’t afford to attend and didn’t pay the deposit on time, or got off the waitlist somewhere else and are attending elsewhere. It is not a final rejection. It is a “we cannot accept you at this time“. I know lots of people who got into schools off of weightlists. Unfortunately how many get into a school varies significantly from year to year. Some years schools go deep into their waitlist, other years they don’t go into their waitlist At all, or for very few. Hang in there and best of luck. Do you choose the school by May 1 but cross your fingers and toes and tell MSU that you want to stay on the waitlist.

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Adding to the chorus as a parent of a kid who received a fair number of waitlist offers this cycle. A waitlist offer is not a rejection.

While we are moving forward with offers from schools where S25 was accepted, here is a quote from one of the waitlist letters he received: “Due to the strength of your application and potential for success, we are offering you a place on our wait list. Each year, we look to our wait list to reach our enrollment goals. Only a small number of this year’s applicants to XX have been invited to be on our wait list, and XX ultimately admits and enrolls a limited number of students who originally were wait listed each year.”

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Please move on from the general wait list discussions. Points have already been made! This student is specifically asking about MSU wait list chances.

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I’m sorry you’re dealing with feelings from your rejections; that’s very natural. The good news is that you’ve got three acceptances, two of which are affordable!

If the waitlist data from last year repeats itself, then it seems as though you may have a good chance. That said, however, I would move forward with one of your two sure things and get excited about them.

MSU is not your last-ditch option. You’ve already got two affordable options. That means you have choices!

Western Michigan

In addition to summer orientation, incoming first year students participate in Fall Welcome which has students move in a little early and then has several days of programming to help students adjust to campus, including getting to know professors in related areas, having games and activities to get to know peers, etc. Students can sign up for a class called First-Year Experience which helps tie students in with resources at the college and how to pursue their own goals at WMU. There’s also a Health Professionals Living Learning Community which might be of interest, based on your major, which can surround you with like-minded peers and study buddies. Additionally, Western Michigan allows students to cross-register at Kalamazoo College, so there’s opportunity for additional classes and potentially other connections with faculty. And it’s possible for you to submit an application for the honors college right now!

Wayne State

The First-Year Residential Experience (FYRE) is designed for incoming students to really become connected with the university. And if there’s no Living Learning Community that feels compelling, the university encourages students to suggest new options and provides the contact info to do so (source). If you’re interested in research, Wayne State is a great place to be. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program provides funding for undergraduate research. And before directing your own research, departmental websites provide students with advice on how to join a faculty’s research team (for neuroscience, psychology, and biology, the latter two are much clearer in spelling out their faculty’s research topics, several of which would likely to appeal to someone interested in neuroscience). If you weren’t offered a spot in the honors college, you can apply again after completing your first semester (and you might even see if they would be willing to consider an appeal based on the changed trajectory in your grades).

And these options and possibilities were found with just a little bit of research. This is your time to dive in and look at the clubs, faculty, courses, etc, to see where you think is the best fit for you. Send in your deposit and be all-in for that college. Then if you get off the waitlist at MSU you can look at what’s available there to see if you think it’s a better fit than the college your originally chose.

Wishing you the best and hoping you’ll let us know what you decide.

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OK. Go to Wayne like I did. Then go up to Michigan or Michigan State when you can on the weekends Trust me it works out just fine. Get your grades up and attempt it again. The GPA has gotten much more competitive over the year’s there and much harder to get in. I know they do have like a mentor program to help you if admitted there. Use it. My nephew did and it changed his life. Some would prefer going to a community college and then transferring but make sure which one does cleanly.

Good luck.

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